Participation in Special Olympics Linked to Reduced Risk of Diabetes Among Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
New research led by the Faculty of Health Sciences at Ontario Tech University and published in Diabetic Medicine has revealed that participation in Special Olympics programming is associated with a significantly lower risk of diabetes among adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The study, led by Dr. Meghann Lloyd, Faculty of Health Sciences at Ontario Tech University, examined the diabetes status of more than 35,000 young adults with IDD in Ontario from 1995 to 2015.
The new long-term population level research utilizes statistical modeling of Special Olympics registration data and administrative health records held at ICES. Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities were categorized into participants and non-participants of Special Olympics. Diabetes diagnosis rates among these groups were calculated and compared over the 20-year period, revealing significant results:
This study finds a 15% Rate Reduction in diabetes for adults with IDD who participate in Special Olympics, compares to adults with IDD who do not participate, over a period of up to 20 years.
People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have higher rates of diabetes compared to the general population.
Age, sex, community (rural vs urban), affluence, and morbidity of individuals did not influence the outcome of the study.
Special Olympics is a relatively low-cost intervention (compared to the cost of treating diabetes), and our results indicate a significant health-promoting effect to participation.
Over the 20-year period, adults with IDD who do not participate in Special Olympics had a rate of diabetes of 11.01 per 1000 person years compared to for Special Olympics participants. 8.41 per 1,000 person years for Special Olympics participants.
"While we have long observed these positive outcomes for Special Olympics athletes firsthand, it's gratifying to have research that supports what we've always believed" - Gail Hamamoto, CEO, Special Olympics Canada